Master of Science in Software Engineering Application Components

Although most students admitted to the MS Software Engineering (MS SE) program hold undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, mathematics, cognitive science or physics, applicants who hold an undergraduate degree in an area other than those mentioned above from an accredited institution, and clearly demonstrate the ability to perform graduate-level work in software engineering are also considered. Excellence and promise will balance a lack of formal preparation. Programming experience is essential, but applicants who have allowed a zeal for programming to interfere with other aspects of education are not usually considered qualified.

On this page, you will find all necessary information to complete and submit your application. If you have any questions, please contact the admissions office at (650) 335-2810 or email admissions@sv.cmu.edu.

To enter the MS SE program you must have:

• An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, or a minor in Computer Science, or an undergraduate degree in an area other than CS with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; from an accredited institution (from ABET [Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.], Higher Learning Commission or U.S. Dept. of Education) with equivalent preparation, including:

  • Knowledge, at least at the level of an undergraduate course, of algorithms and data structures and programming languages
  • Basic knowledge of object-oriented design
  • Skills in programming-in-the-small, as well as competence in using an object-oriented language such as Java
  • Practical knowledge of programming methods and computer organization.
• A completed online application
• Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
  • You must submit one official transcript from each college or university attended (including community, undergraduate, and graduate programs), even if no degree was granted.  Transcripts must arrive in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution, to be considered official.  If you know you will not be able to get an official copy of your transcripts sent in by the deadline, you may submit unofficial copies and email them to admissions@sv.cmu.edu or fax them to 650-603-7032 for the admissions committee to review, so as not to slow down your application process. However, a final decision cannot be confirmed until after your official transcripts are received.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official GRE or GMAT score report
  • Either exam will be accepted. The minimum GRE scores for Carnegie Mellon University are: Verbal (400 or 146 for new scoring system); Quantitative (500 or 144 for new scoring system). Your scores should be sent to the Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley. Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley's GRE institution code is 4024, and our GMAT program code is 69H-Z3-42. (*Part-time only: You may petition to waive the GRE or GMAT requirement if you have already earned a qualifying graduate degree. As admissions to CMU is competitive, if you feel GMAT or the GRE scores would strengthen your application, you are encouraged to submit scores along with application materials. Waiver decisions are made by the admissions committee. If the waiver is approved, under certain circumstances we may require demonstration of necessary quantitative skills to success in the program.) Test scores are accepted for five years from the date of the last application deadline date. To schedule a GRE examination, please go to http://gre.org or to schedule a GMAT examination, please go to http://mba.com.
• TOEFL - All applicants whose native language (mother tongue) is not English MUST provide TOEFL scores from tests taken within the last 1-2 years.  Scores should be added to the online application and originals sent directly to Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley (ETS code 5759). We require a minimum iBT score of 95 (with no sub-score below 23) to be considered for admission.
  • minimum Reading = 23
  • minimum Listening = 23
  • minimum Speaking = 23
  • minimum Writing = 23
  • TOEFL scores must be sent by ETS electronically to Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley. Applicants must also report their TOEFL scores on their application. The institution code for Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley is 5759. (*Part-time only: Petitions for waiver may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee. Under certain circumstances we may require demonstration of necessary English communication skills to succeed in the program.)
• Interview (TOEFL score must be received prior to scheduling)
  In addition to your application materials, you may be asked to interview with a member of the admissions committee. The interview gives you an opportunity to learn more about the masters program and also enables the admissions committee to learn more about you beyond the written materials you have provided in your application. Specifically, the interview enables the admissions committee to learn more about your communication and interpersonal skills, background, education, and professional goals. Within two weeks of receiving your completed file, a representative from the admissions committee may contact you to schedule an interview. Interviews can be done in person or by telephone.
• 
  
• Coding Diagnostic: The coding diagnostic should be completed using the object-oriented language of your choice, including:
  • C++
  • Java
  • Ruby on Rails
  • PhP
  • C
  • C Sharp
  • Python
  You will be asked to walk through your application during your interview.  During this part of the interview, the focus of the interviewer will be on your ability to explain, step-by-step, your process in creating the code. Although you may use an object-oriented language other than the ones listed above, you will be evaluated in a programming language chosen from the above list.

• *Full-time only: A summer internship is highly recommended; the internship might be completed the summer prior to beginning the MS SE program

• Application fee: (USD $100)

Any materials not submitted online should be sent directly to us at:

Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley
ATTN: Admissions
NASA Research Park
Building 23 (MS 23-11)
P.O. Box 1
Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001

Information for Re-Applicants:
We welcome re-applicants and appreciate your continued interest in Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley. If you applied within two years, we will have your original application on file, and any components you submitted previously, including your transcripts, GRE or GMAT test scores, and recommendation letters. As a re-applicant, you will need to submit the following:

• An updated application
• One additional letter of recommendation
• Any new test score reports for the GRE or GMAT
• Any new transcripts for classes or degrees you may have received
• An updated resume

The application fee is waived for re-applicants. Please keep in mind that, in general, the quality of the applicant pools increases each year, so it will be to your advantage to update your application with your most recent accomplishments.